Change in the Digit Symbol Substitution Test
The Digit Symbol Substitution Test is a measure of processing speed and consists of nine digit-symbol pairs. Participants will be asked to fill in as many corresponding symbols for the given digits within 90 s, with a greater number of items correctly coded indicating better processing speed. Performance will be measured by the number of correct symbols; a greater number of symbols indicates better performance.
Change in the oral Trail Making Test
Set-shifting will be assessed using the oral Trail-Making Test Part B minus A. It will involve going back and forth between multiple tasks or mental sets. Part A will assess psychomotor speed; participants will count numbers aloud in sequential order, starting at 1 and ending at 25. We will record the amount of time (in seconds) for the participants to complete the task. Part B will consist of orally switching back and forth from numbers to letters (the numbers extend from 1 to 13 and the letters from A to L). Participants will be instructed to orally count as quickly and as accurately as possible from 1 to A, A to 2, 2 to B, B to 3, and so on, until they complete the task. We will record the amount of time (in seconds) for participants to complete the task. To index set shifting, the completion time difference between Part B and Part A will be calculated. Smaller difference scores indicate better set shifting.
Change in the Digit Span Forwards and Backwards
Working memory will be assessed using the verbal digit span forward and backward task. This task involves presenting a series of random digits (from 1 to 9), after which participants will be asked to verbally repeat the list in the same order and in the reverse order, respectively, in separate trials. If successful, they will be provided a longer number sequence. The total number of correct trials and the longest correct trial will be recorded.
Change in the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test
The Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test is a measure of learning and short-term memory. We will read a list of 15 words and participants will be asked to recall as many words as they can remember. We will record the total recall, intrusions, and repetitions for: immediate recall, delayed recall, and word recognition.
Change in the Benton Judgement of Line Orientation
Perception will be assessed using the Benton Judgement of Line Orientation. Participants will be presented with 15 pairs of lines. Participants will judge the angle of both lines with respect to the reference line angle. The total score ranges from 0 to 15.
Change in the Boston Naming Test
Language skills will be assessed with the Boston Naming Test, which involves visually looking at 15 printed pictures on a piece of paper and verbalizing the name of the objects. The total score ranges from 0 to 15.
Change in Health Utilities Index-3
The Health Utilities Index-3 is a questionnaire related to quality of life. We will use the total score as the outcome measure.
Change in the Visual Analogue Scale
The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is a measure of overall perceived rating of health. The endpoint of 100 is labelled "The best health you can imagine" while a score of 0 was labelled "The worse health you can imagine". Participants will be asked to report their perceived health on the day of the assessment.
Change in the Geriatric Depression Scale
The Geriatric Depression Scale is a 15-item questionnaire that assesses depressed mood. A score of greater than 5 points is suggestive of depression, while a score of greater than or equal to a score of 10 is almost always indicative of depression.
Change in the short-Falls Efficacy Scale International
The Short-Falls Efficacy Scale International measures fear when performing 7 daily activities. Scores between 7-8 are indicative of low concern for falling, 9-13 are indicative of moderate concern for falling, and 14-28 are indicative of high concern for falling.
Change in Functional Comorbidity Index
The Functional Comorbidity Index includes 18 evenly weighted comorbidities that stratify on physical functional status. This scale's score was the total number of comorbidities.
Change in body composition (weight (kg))
Change in body composition will be measured using the Omron Body Composition Monitor. We will record weight (kg).
Change in body composition (fat (%))
Change in body composition will be measured using the Omron Body Composition Monitor. We will record body fat composition (%).
Change in body composition (muscle (%))
Change in body composition will be measured using the Omron Body Composition Monitor. We will record skeletal muscle composition (%).
Change in the Short Physical Performance Battery
The Short Physical Performance Battery is a valid and reliable measure of physical performance and is comprised of three components, including: balance, gait, and chair stands. Balance will be assessed over 10 s of stance with feet together, semi-tandem, and tandem stance. Gait speed will be measured over 4 m with a stopwatch. The five times sit to stand will be measured with a stopwatch. The total score ranges from 0 worst) to 12 (best).
Change in dual-task posture (sway area (degrees/s squared))
Dual-task posture will be measured with APDM inertial sensors. Dual-task posture will involve standing with feet apart with no cognitive task, as well as while counting backwards by 1's. We will examine sway area (degrees/s squared).
Change in dual-task posture (root mean square sway (degrees))
Dual-task posture will be measured with APDM inertial sensors. Dual-task posture will involve standing with feet apart with no cognitive task, as well as while counting backwards by 1's. We will examine root mean square sway (degrees).
Change in dual-task posture (frequency of sway (Hz))
Dual-task posture will be measured with APDM inertial sensors. Dual-task posture will involve standing with feet apart with no cognitive task, as well as while counting backwards by 1's. We will examine frequency of sway (Hz).
Change in dual-task posture (jerk (m²/s^5))
Dual-task posture will be measured with APDM inertial sensors. Dual-task posture will involve standing with feet apart with no cognitive task, as well as while counting backwards by 1's. We will examine jerk (m²/s^5).
Change in dual-task posture (mean velocity (m/s))
Dual-task posture will be measured with APDM inertial sensors. Dual-task posture will involve standing with feet apart with no cognitive task, as well as while counting backwards by 1's. We will examine mean velocity (m/s)
Change in dual-task posture (path length(m/s²))
Dual-task posture will be measured with APDM inertial sensors. Dual-task posture will involve standing with feet apart with no cognitive task, as well as while counting backwards by 1's. We will examine path length(m/s²).
Change in dual-task gait (gait speed (m/s))
Dual-task gait will be measured with APDM inertial sensors. Dual-task gait will involve walking 4 m with no cognitive task as well as while naming all the words starting with a specific letter. We will examine gait speed (m/s).
Change in dual-task gait (double support (%))
Dual-task gait will be measured with APDM inertial sensors. Dual-task gait will involve walking 4 m with no cognitive task as well as while naming all the words starting with a specific letter. We will examine double support (%).
Change in dual-task gait (stride length (m))
Dual-task gait will be measured with APDM inertial sensors. Dual-task gait will involve walking 4 m with no cognitive task as well as while naming all the words starting with a specific letter. We will examine stride length (m).
Change in dual-task gait (upper body range of motion (degrees))
Dual-task gait will be measured with APDM inertial sensors. Dual-task gait will involve walking 4 m with no cognitive task as well as while naming all the words starting with a specific letter. We will examine upper body range of motion (degrees).
Change in dual-task mobility (task duration (s))
Dual-task mobility will be assessed with the timed-up-and-go (TUG). The TUG involves getting up from a chair, walking 3 m, turning around, walking back, and sitting down. Participants will complete the TUG with no cognitive task, as well as while completing a category task. We will examine task duration (s).
Change in dual-task mobility (turn duration (s))
Dual-task mobility will be assessed with the timed-up-and-go (TUG). The TUG involves getting up from a chair, walking 3 m, turning around, walking back, and sitting down. Participants will complete the TUG with no cognitive task, as well as while completing a category task. We will examine turn duration (s).
Change in dual-task mobility (turn velocity (degrees/s))
Dual-task mobility will be assessed with the timed-up-and-go (TUG). The TUG involves getting up from a chair, walking 3 m, turning around, walking back, and sitting down. Participants will complete the TUG with no cognitive task, as well as while completing a category task. We will examine turn velocity (degrees/s).
Change in dual-task mobility (lean angle (degrees))
Dual-task mobility will be assessed with the timed-up-and-go (TUG). The TUG involves getting up from a chair, walking 3 m, turning around, walking back, and sitting down. Participants will complete the TUG with no cognitive task, as well as while completing a category task. We will examine lean angle (degrees).
Change in turning (task duration (s))
Turning will be assessed with a 360 degree turn with APDM inertial sensors. We will examine task duration (s).
Change in turning (turn angle (degrees))
Turning will be assessed with a 360 degree turn with APDM inertial sensors. We will examine turn angle (degrees).
Change in turning (turn velocity (degrees/s))
Turning will be assessed with a 360 degree turn with APDM inertial sensors. We will examine turn velocity (degrees/s).
Change in functional lower extremity strength (task duration (s))
Functional lower extremity strength will be assessed with the five times sit to stand using APDM inertial sensors. We will examine task duration (s).
Change in functional lower extremity strength (lean angle (degrees))
Functional lower extremity strength will be assessed with the five times sit to stand using APDM inertial sensors. We will examine lean angle (degrees).
Change in hand grip strength
To measure hand grip strength, participants will be asked to hold the dynamometer in their hand, with the arm parallel to the side of the body. Participants will then squeeze the dynamometer with maximum isometric effort for about 3-5 seconds. The average of two trials will be recorded for the right and left hands.
Change in quadriceps grip strength
We will use the JTECH Commander handheld dynamometer to measure quadriceps strength. From the seated position, the investigator will secure a strap around the participants' lower shank and a secured object, such that the lower shank is at 60 degrees from flexion. Participants will extend their knee with maximum isometric effort for about 3-5 seconds. The average of two trials will be recorded for the right and left legs.
Change in physical activity (% of time in different levels of physical activity)
An Axivity Monitor will be worn on the wrist over 7 days and will measure physical activity. The Axivity Monitor will provide information: percentage of time in light, moderate, vigorous, and very vigorous activity (%).
Change in physical activity (step count)
An Axivity Monitor will be worn on the wrist over 7 days and will measure physical activity. The Axivity Monitor will provide information: average daily step count (steps).
Change in physical activity (number of sedentary bouts)
An Axivity Monitor will be worn on the wrist over 7 days and will measure physical activity. The Axivity Monitor will provide information: number of sedentary bouts (count).
Change in physical activity (time in sedentary bouts (min))
An Axivity Monitor will be worn on the wrist over 7 days and will measure physical activity. The Axivity Monitor will provide information: average time in sedentary bouts (min).
Change in sleep efficiency (total sleep time/total time in bed)
An Axivity Monitor will be worn on the wrist over 7 days and will measure sleep. The Axivity Monitor will provide information: sleep efficiency (total sleep time/total time in bed).
Change in sleep (number of awakenings)
An Axivity Monitor will be worn on the wrist over 7 days and will measure sleep. The Axivity Monitor will provide information: number of awakenings (number).
Change in sleep (average awake length (min))
An Axivity Monitor will be worn on the wrist over 7 days and will measure sleep. The Axivity Monitor will provide information: average awake length (min).
Change in sleep (Sleep Fragmentation Index)
An Axivity Monitor will be worn on the wrist over 7 days and will measure sleep. The Axivity Monitor will provide information: sleep fragmentation index. The Sleep Fragmentation Index = the sum of the Movement Index and Fragmentation Index. The Movement Index = the total of scored awake minutes divided by Total time in bed in hours x 100. The Fragmentation Index = the percentage of one-minute periods of sleep vs. all periods of sleep in the sleep period.
Falls
Falls will be recorded by the nursing home or assisted living facility staff on incident reports.
Change in inflammatory blood biomarkers (Interleukin-6)
We will draw blood at baseline and 6 months. We will examine inflammatory blood biomarkers, including Interleukin-6 (ng/ml), measured using multiplex assay.
Change in inflammatory blood biomarkers (Interleukin-1)
We will draw blood at baseline and 6 months. We will examine inflammatory blood biomarkers, including Interleukin-1α (ng/µg), measured using multiplex assay.
Change in inflammatory blood biomarkers (Tumor Necrosis Factor-α)
We will draw blood at baseline and 6 months. We will examine inflammatory blood biomarkers, including Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (ng/ml), measured using multiplex assay.
Change in kynurenine pathway metabolites (kynurenine)
We will draw blood at baseline and 6 months. We will examine kynurenine pathway metabolites, including kynurenine (ng/ml), measured using mass spectroscopy.
Change in kynurenine pathway metabolites (tryptophan)
We will draw blood at baseline and 6 months. We will examine kynurenine pathway metabolites, including tryptophan (µmol/L), measured using mass spectroscopy.
Change in kynurenine pathway metabolites (kynurenic acid)
We will draw blood at baseline and 6 months. We will examine kynurenine pathway metabolites, including kynurenic acid (ng/ml), measured using mass spectroscopy.
Change in epigenetics
We will draw blood at baseline and 6 months. We will examine epigenetics (genome-wide test, global methylation, and aging clock). DNA samples will be extracted with Applied Biosystem MagMAX DNA Multi-Sample Ultra 2.0 kit using KingFisher Duo Prime automated system, quantified by NanoDrop 2000 Spectrophotometer system. Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis will be conducted using the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip (Illumina Inc., Denver, CO) in DNA samples. DNA methylation beta values will be used to estimate the DNA methylation age (DNAm age) prior to normalization using the online epigenetic age calculator (http://dnamage.genetics.ucla.edu).